I'm begging for help with Hurricane Relief

My family is fine and dandy; we are confronted with raking up stuff. But so many in every direction - south to New Orleans and Slidell, southeast to Waveland and Pearlington and Bay St Louis and Gulfport and Biloxi and Long Beach are in need. People and support personnel are living in tents. The storm was 6 weeks ago. Any assistance you may provide via the mechanism of your choice will be extremely appreciated. Thank you very much.

I would like to blog about it, but I'd like to get a job when I get there to pay the bills.

Are people hiring? What is the prevailing wage? If I go there, will I be taking away a job from a local?

what is yr skill?

burger king is actually offering a $6K bonus if you sign on for a yr -- $3K for part time -- hourly wage around $8 an hour

for burger king!

if you are a roofer, a/c repairman, electrician, if you're strong enough to pick up debris, the sky is the limit

the real problem here is housing, if you can get a place to stay, you CAN get a job, so many ppl lost their homes and have no place to stay so they can't work if they're commuting from atlanta or houston obviously

i tried to post a story from nola.com yesterday abt the sudden increase in wages, from $5.15 to $8.50 an hour at fast food restaurants was the example given

a strong man can write his own ticket, men are getting $15-20 an hour to pick up debris, obviously if you have a skill, you can potentially do even better

it isn't the pay that is the problem, it's the lack of housing, if you don't have a friend or relative or an employer willing to sponsor housing for you, it could be rough, the dude who just did some electric work on my house lost his own house & is in a tent, his mom's in a shelter, but he's making more $$$ than he ever made in his life, it's all crazy

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tporleans/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tporleans/archives/2005_10_05.html#085056

the T-P blog has a snazzy "permalink" feature.

A cutthroat, post-hurricane labor market has sent wages skyrocketing in the fast-food industry and prompted some of the New Orleans region's biggest chains to offer workers thousands of dollars in signing bonuses, perks typically associated with higher-paying white-collar jobs.

Burger King recruiters have been visiting federal disaster recovery centers and newly reopened high schools offering a $6,000 bonus, paid in monthly installments, to anyone promising to work full-time at a metropolitan New Orleans restaurant for at least a year. New part-time workers are being offered $3,000 bonuses.

Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits has increased hourly pay for cashiers and cooks from just over the federal minimum wage of $5.15 to more than $8, a jump of more than 50 percent.

In a way I envy you. I lived in N.O. about 15 years ago and have been racking my brains, as well as pounding the Internets, for ways in which I can help eventually (my gifts are much more intellectual than physical, and so my time might not come for another few months).

what specificlly do you need. I can get you a small amout with my debit card.

charities in general, although I do from time to time, but if you, my fellow DUer need some help please PM me or email
krs@ispwest.com

I'm able to make another donation and I'm considering Habitat for Humanity or the Michael Moore coalition. I'm open to other suggestions, also.

My local United Methodist Church raised over $9,000 for Katrina relief efforts, and the good news is, they didn't turn that money over to the Red Cross! It is actually going to help people displaced by Katrina.

I have already made a donation to Michael Moore's efforts, and have donated for the Health Buckets. I get paid next Friday, and will have about $100 I can donate. I was planning to donate again, and that link will help me decide where it should go.

They get a bad rap in the media doing the bidding of the republicans who want to demonize all charities not run by Robertson and Falwell. The Red Cross and even the Salvation Army are the *only* relief organizations I have seen in SE Texas, and both are doing a great job. Though I'd still be hesitant to donate to the SA for obvious reasons.

Head of Small Relief Agency Blasts Red Cross "Money Pit"
<http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/30/1411237&mode=thread&tid=25>

...I wrote the piece because I'm hoping the Red Cross board of directors, who are the C.E.O.s in corporate America, will change their policy regarding rebuilding communities. They have said since this started the last month that they are there for the emergency, and that alone is enough to justify the kind of money that they're spending and raising, but the fact is that these communities have to be rebuilt, and from the grassroots up, as well as the infrastructure.

Now, the federal government has allocated $62 billion so far, and they may triple that sum in the next year or two. They may have to. What's happened is the technology of fundraising has changed since the tsunami of last December 26th. ...the Red Cross is by far and away the most sophisticated and efficient user of the internet on top of having all corporate media outlets behind them and promoting them. And what happened was, it went from 35% of all donations in the tsunami, where Americans were incredibly generous, to over 75% right now.

But since all of their money, by their own admission, is front-end money for the emergency, it's not necessarily the wisest thing to ignore community groups, community foundations and the needs of rebuilding civil society.

==================

There ARE other concerns with the Red Cross that ARE legit -- when I criticize and speak out against Red Cross policy it is because I want them to do better - they must do better post-Katrina than they did post-9/11.

:kick:

But I still believe that much (though certainly not all) of the criticism leveled at them by the "mainstream" media is based in large part on the fact that they are not a faith-based organization demanding that you convert and swear obedience to their god before you get help.

Local organizations are really good for the rebuilding efforts, and groups like Some Other Place or the Southeast Texas Food Bank are great for this area. I'm sure Bosshog and others in the Katrina hit areas could give the names of their locals. And long term I'm sure that Habitat for Humanity would be good.

But when we have hundreds of thousands of people still without power 2 and 1/2 weeks after our storm hit and the utility companies saying it could be another month or more before power is even restored (much less the rebuilding beginning in those areas), groups set up for emergencies, like the Red Cross, are what is needed now.

after reading a Michael Moore post from yesterday.

My family and I are also rounding up needed items and will send when we get a boxful:

WISH LIST


Men's, Women's, and Children's SOCKS
Men's, Women's, and Children's UNDERWEAR (boxers, briefs, bras - big sizes too)
Tarps (the larger the better)
Toilet Paper
Bug Spray
Hand Sanitizer (all sizes)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Canned FOOD and dried fruits
Sponges and Scouring Pads
Hard Scrub Brushes
GAS CARDS
Pampers (especially pull-ups)
Heavy Duty Extension Cords (50')
Heavy Duty Rubber Gloves (chemical resistant)
Electric Dehumidifiers
Large Box Fans

Supplies can be sent to:
S.O.S.
2810 Mill Street
Mobile, AL 36607

(251) 377-9691

Make checks payable to:
S.O.S.
925B Peachtree Street NE, #307
Atlanta, Ga 30309


Thanks MM and thanks BOSSHOG for the reminder that our fellow Americans need our help.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/covington.php?id=41

to visit Michael Moore and his SOS group. We'll do what we can. I know that donations to the Red Cross don't seem to be getting to folks that are out in the more rural areas, but I do need to say that our school did just send them another $325 from kids collecting pennies. We are also contemplating a 'goods' drive. School is also sending a donation through Thrivent for Lutherans, about $1000 with the match. I hope we are all doing this through whichever organization we trust. Hope you are still ok Boss, and keep us posted.

A THING. If you can in any way give a buck or two here or there, it would be appreciated beyond any expectations. When you see families living in tents with no job, no toilet, no nothing, no clothes. Bosshog and his are doing fine but others need your love and compassion, however you might share it. THANKS A MILLION TIMES.

I started this list because I was worried about local groups getting overwhelmed before FEMA money got to them and that they would go bankrupt. I was thinking a week or two, ha. If you know of more that should be on this list, or some that should be off, please let me know and then I'll blog it around again.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/katrina.htm

THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. Maybe in caps it means more but I truly appreciate every effort. The Red Cross is pumping millions into the gulf coast. I know it is time consuming and unwieldy but the money is getting to those in need. I choose not to argue the rightness or the wrongess of the red cross but they are getting the money to those in need.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND EVERTHING YOU WILL DO.

I have yet to get through on the "1-800" line and the facilities that provide the financial assistance are either hard to find, too crowded, run out of money (vouchers), shut down early due to so many claims, etc.

I understand that all they are paying is $260.00. Not to sound greedy but that really isn't that much money if you consider I lost my home, my car, all of my possessions and where I worked before the storm is still having problems getting business and work so they can't afford to pay me (basically I am without a paying job.)

Don't tell folks to give to The Red Cross or even the Bush/Clinton Katrina funds because of the approximate $600 million raised the survivors may actually see $300.00. Like you said, folks are in tents. there are over 65,000 still in shelters in Mississippi and there are 400,000 plus living in hotels throughout the state and Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, etc. The Red Cross foots the bills for those in the hotel, but FEMA reimburses them for the costs . The folks in shelters are to get out by the 15th of this month and those in the hotels by the 29th. There aren't enough trailers or rental homes or apartments or even tents.

The Red Cross is doing a wonderful job here, and I know people who needed the money who've already been wired money via Western Union from the Red Cross- more than $260, so you should be able to get more than that as well. Yes, they waited for 4+ hours on the telephone, but the Red Cross is a volunteer organization. They do not have paid staffers to answer the phones and are relying on volunteers for their phone banks.

The first people on the ground here were Red Cross volunteers, giving out ice and food to those who'd either stayed or returned too early. No organization is perfect by any means, and the Red Cross could certainly use improvement (like hiring temp workers to answer phones when the need is this great), but they and the Salvation Army have been the only relief organizations here. Even the insurance companies have by and large had a good presence here and have already distributed quite a bit in advances for ALE. FEMA has of course been almost non-existent, and almost more of a hinderance than a help when they did show up.

I hope things start getting better for you guys. :)

organization and therefore should be forgiven for it's failings. The Red Cross is a government sponsored charity. The Red Cross has raised over $500,000,000 in the Katrina relief efforts yet FEMA IS REIMBURSING IT FOR THE HOUSING COSTS IT HAS PAID for Katrina Survivors. :shrug: WTF is that.

The Red Cross volunteers are great, I have met many and am grateful for their individual concern and dedication. THE CHARITY ITSELF SUCKS - the organization is fucked up. Why in the world can they not pay to have more operators man the "1-800" - they have $500,000,000.00 to work with? And yes, all I will probably get is the $260.00 - if you know how I can get more or how I can get the original $260.00, please let me know.

"shut down early due to so many claims"

They should be open 24/7 to process claims... not "shut down early" because there are so many! People are hurting!!!! GEEZUZ.

I do fault the organization, the folks making the friggin decisions and running things. They are so screwed up. I lucked out today, I was running an errand, saw the sign for a Red Cross financial distribution center realized the crowd was small (maybe folks don't know about this one yet?) and pulled into the parking lot. After standing in line, I sat down, gave the required information and then waited with a crowd of other folks for a check. I was annoyed by the fellow that handed me the check when he said "Spend it wisely, this is all you are getting from this organization." :grr: What are they doing with all the money they raised? :wtf:

in "surprise new" locations all the time.

"spend it wisely"???!!!!! Well, I know the volunteers are to be appreciated, but I think I'da wanted to deck his ass for such a condescending remark.

Like people are going to 'party hearty' on $260 after six weeks of destruction of their lives, with destroyed homes, lost jobs, all posessions lost??!!!

How can anyone do much of anything with $260? "this is all you are getting from this organization". This is NOT what donors expect!!!

AAAaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

most of all the materials (ice, food, clothing, et cetera) were not donated to them and they had to fork out the cash themselves, I wouldn't be so angry. BUT -- FEMA is reimbursing them and a large portion of what they give out are donated. They don't pay volunteers, they don't pay for folks to man the switch board, they don't pay for all the items they provide, where does the money go?

(BTW- $360.00 is what they gave me. And I think I will spend it wisely. ;-) )

shirts or long tees that can be used as night clothes etc. Let me know what to make and where to send it and I would be more than happy to help you out.

I also childrens books and small stuffed toys like beanie babies. This may sound trivial but little children when they have had such a severe life changing crisis sometimes are comforted by something small and soft that they can carry with them everywhere the go. If you could use any of these let me know where to send them.

I also have some older computer items, a monitor, printer, bunch of software that is for kids all for mac, plus a desktop that runs OS 9.2 if there is a need. Tell me where to send them and they are yours.

For the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas who need help. And there are many.

Damnit,...this makes me so angry!!! :grr:

That's about as nicely and succinctly as I can put it. I am so very fortunate that I do not have to rely on them!

And for all the bad press that the Red Cross gets, they really are doing a wonderful job. I haven't seen any other relief organizations down here, can't speak for the areas hit by Katrina. But the Red Cross has been on the ground, distributing food, water, money and other supplies, as well as setting up shelters for those who still can't return home or don't have one to return to.

:hug:

I sent another donation just now.

we had a Mardi Gras party, and asked people to bring checks made out to the Red Cross.

I wish we had specified another agency, but everyone knows the Red Cross, and at the time that we planned the party, we were thinking more of relief then rebuilding.

I have to repeat, the Bosshogs need nothing, but the Bosshogs see destitution and destruction every day. God Bless all Philly fans (that would include me.) Make your plans and come on down to Nawlins Mardi Gras come February. If you could see who your contributions are helping it would break your heart.

I was a little disappointed that some of my richer friends didn't kick in anything ("oh, I'll put a check in the mail to you" and no check - this from the one with a beach-block 2nd house at the shore)

But others came through like champs. We never could have afforded to contribute $1200 ourselves, so it was nice to be able to take an "investment" in beads, food and liquor, and multiply it.

We need to keep this in front of people's minds as Katrina fades from the news.

:mad:

relocate??????

Swamp, that is not right! I am mad for you! :grr:

Go back and reapply, FEMA should have helped you relocate and begin again! :hug:

:nuke:

You need to take care of yourself and you have displaced. Pmail me and let me know what steps you have taken. Maybe you missed one, maybe you need to go to another FEMA center and talk to someone new.

It is not right that you have been denied! :mad: I am figthing for what I have, you need to do the same thing damnit! :grr:

:hug: :loveya:

was only their bottom floor, they could still live in their house, I am IMing with my mom right now and she said she only got that because she went down to the office and wailed her head off (here words not mine) because her husband had just had a stroke and was scared to death because they couldn't lock the house.

And wait it gets better, turns out the FEMA people wre being a bunch of assholes and she said God took care of her because after she told them all that stuff a guy overheard her and asked where she was from and turns out they had a mutual friend in CA and this happened in WI so the guy personally made sure she got the check.

So it would seem the same old story holds true you have to know someone and then you might get treated somewhat fairly. Sorry not too encouraging

back at 300.00 a month and she had already told them they had no income at the time and the loan was a 4% interest rate!

SwampRat!

Check your pmail! :hug:

keep nagging fema, there is quite a bit of cash out there available for the displaced

him to stand up for what he is entitled to. He is so entitled to help from FEMA and the Red Cross.

:hug:
If you talk to Swamp, give him Cath's number and have him call her directly.
She will get him some help, at least from FEMA.

:hug: I am so glad to see you! Your timing is perfect! I don't think that avatar suits you at all. :hug:

Here is the latest in my world http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4112345

It is so good to see you! I hope things are going well for you. :loveya:

anything either. They are being kicked out in the street by the Red Cross too. It does look like with all that money that has been raised, people would get help, but it hasn't gone to the victims unfortunately. That's why I don't trust the red cross. I only half trust Habitat for Humanity and believe it or not, Oprah is working to buy houses for victims. Individuals who are buying or building homes for people are the ones to trust, imo, not the Red Cross.

I don't trust any of the "agencies" or "organizations" -- not a one.

Over $600,000,000.00 raised and where is it???? :shrug:

loading it tomorrow and Saturday. It is coming via Feed the Children (which I am not happy about) so see if you guys can get a piece of it.I will try to find out more about their distribution goals.

It is small, but our Girl Scout troop is establishing contact with some displaced girls, and we are gathering GS supplies so they can get back together--we figure anything that makes people's lives a little more normal will help.

I know this is small. I will pass on your request to many people and see if we can get more attention paid to your area.

Best wishes.

So good to see you - the small efforts are often the best. The big stuff gets caught up in the bureaucracy and politics.

Thanks for all you are doing. :hug: :loveya:

and Salvation Army within days after Katrina?

i don't think ppl fully comprehend the size of this storm or the area of devastation or the numbers of the dislocated

some ppl seem to envision only a few neighborhoods (such as 9th ward of new orleans) are destroyed, a more accurate picture is to imagine a huge zone of destruction from pascagoula, mississippi to beamont, texas where hundreds of thousands of homes have become uninhabitable

there are buildings & homes destroyed as far north as jackson or meridian, mississippi, these caused by the wind damage, not flooding obviously

the size of area & numbers of ppl in need is just HUGE, sadly there is an ongoing need, because of lack of materials and labor, many towns & neighborhoods may not be rebuilt for yrs

yet those ppl will need to eat food & drink water & find a place to lay their heads at night all that time, right on time, like anybody else

a lot of the anger at red cross is because they don't have ENOUGH -- ppl wait in line only to find that there is only enough debit cards or money at a location to help 1,000 families, if you weren't in line at 6 A.M. you might be out of luck

....reported yesterday on our news...we've had a quagmire around here in regard to FEMA trailor *cities* as land owners and locals don't want any poor people ruining their properties or areas...it's beyond sickening the compassionless bastards who would deny these people any decent place to live. x(

The hospital I work in has several things going on for hurricane relief, from sponsoring health care workers, to money drives. We're up here in Seattle, and we haven't forgotten about you!

Katrina has fallen off the front page. People don't know what's happening there right now. I wish you would write a little more about it. That would be a great front page article for DU that would get more attention than one thread can.

I just PMed you some info.

to NOLA,

the home in uninhabitable so now we'll have rent and a mortgage. ANd our rental doesn't have power AND we're the lucky ones. Our home isn't beyond repair but it'll be many months before we can live there.

I'm being told that if I don't return by monday, i'll likely lose my job. This whole thing has been really hard and the punches keep rolling in.

Thanks for the post BOSSHOG! We need all the help we can get. Please take his advice.. donate or volunteer.

:hi: